The Good I was with a group of friends waiting to be seated at a restaurant we thought was pretty nifty. As some nifty places tend to be, this place was a bit loud, so one of the more attractive girls in our bunch leaned in close to me to say something. I have no idea what she was about to say because two words into the sentence she interrupted herself saying, "God! You smell good!" The Bad I was heading for floor 34. The elevator cars that go to that floor skip the first 18 floors. That was a small mercy. The car was packed and almost every button between 18 and 34 was lit up. It was a hot day and there were at least four different overpowering perfumes assailing our nostrils. Everytime the doors opened a refreshing waft of air breathed in, but then the doors closed again trapping us with the scents again. By the time we rounded in on the 30th level there were only a few of us left. The doors opened and one of the other passengers gasped for air as she stepped out of the car. It was only then that I realized to my flushing embarrassment that one of the overpowering, assaultive eau de cologne aromas was from myself. How do you wear perfumes or colognes so that things like The Good happen and things like The Bad don't? 1) It starts with finding the right perfume for you. Every perfume is different, and every person is different. Not only is it important to find a scent that you like, but also to find one that likes you. A perfume should compliment, rather than mask, your natural aromas. 2) Timing is important. The scents that you notice right when you first put the perfume on are called the Top Notes. These are usually very bright and noticeable, and they fade quickly, within the first hour or so. The strong, chokingly floral scents that bring an elevator full of people to holding their breath are usually caused by the top notes of a perfume. To avoid being a choker try to apply your perfume at least an hour ahead of time. 3) Apply the scent to well-chosen spots. Perfumes are heat activated. The scents that percolate out over time as your body continuously warms the perfume, known as the Heart Notes, are the ones you want people to pleasantly associate with you. They should be a gentle presence which arrives and departs with you. Putting the perfume under several layers of clothing may not allow it to percolate as you were hoping. Try placing small amounts at the openings of your clothing, like just under your collar, your arm sleeves, even your ankles if they are exposed. 4) You could think of the Base Notes as the aftertaste. They are the scents you want to linger in the space you've been and tease the subconscious' of those you have met. We like to look good, and we like to smell good. A well-worn perfume can be like a fine wine; and a badly worn one like that cheap wine Uncle Walter always drinks. Copyright 2006 by Topher ZiCornell |
